The minesweeper Fulda has departed from the Kiel-Wik naval base on the Baltic Sea headed for the Mediterranean, where it will initially be integrated into the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group. Its highly specialized equipment for detecting and destroying sea mines could provide significant support to NATO anti-mining operations, if Germany’s conditions for participation in an international operation in the Strait of Hormuz were met, and Fulda would be in a more convenient position.
Since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, the regime in the Iranian capital Tehran has been suspected of using mines to prevent commercial ships from passing through one of the world’s most important trade routes. The blockade has increased the prices of oil and liquefied natural gas in the global market.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz affected the German economy.
On several occasions, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Germany is ready to help secure a peace agreement – but only after the Iran war ends. On Sunday evening, Merz reiterated this on German television, telling a talk show host that he had personally assured US President Donald Trump of this: “During my last visit and also in our phone call, I told him repeatedly that this is now having a significant impact on us, that we would like to see it end – and that we are also offering assistance.”
The German Navy has extensive experience in mine clearing. Since the end of World War II, it has continued to remove old munitions, particularly from the Baltic Sea. Ten minesweeper ships equipped with modern drones and specially trained mine divers have established Germany’s reputation as an international leader in an area where few others work. Within NATO, expertise in mine clearance is seen as a rare and valuable skill.
German Parliament will take the final decision
Like any armed deployment of the German armed forces abroad, a naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz may only take place under the circumstances outlined in Germany’s Basic Law and decisions of the country’s highest court, the Federal Constitutional Court. First, the mission must be part of a “system of collective security”, such as the United Nations, the NATO defensive alliance or the European Union.
Secondly, the German Parliament would have to be informed about the overseas deployment and debate and ultimately approve the mandate, which would specify the exact mission of the Bundeswehr as well as the deployed military assets, the theater of operations, the total number of troops, and the duration of the mission.
The German Navy has already reached capacity
It could take days or even weeks for a mission to be authorized by the German Parliament, and that is why the German Navy is already preparing. To do this, it has to reallocate its assets. “Everything we have is already deployed. This is especially true for the minesweeper squadron,” said Frigate Capt. Inca von Puttkamer, commander of the 3rd Minesweeper Squadron, during a recent press conference at Kiel Naval Base. “A new mission always comes at the expense of the previous mission.”
According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the German Navy – already “the smallest navy in the history of the Federal Republic” – is currently involved in a number of missions for the EU, NATO and the United Nations.
Von Puttkammer made it clear that dangerous work in a mine field could only be carried out if adequate protection was provided. “Mine clearance units can only be deployed when threats from land and air can be knocked out. Just as a frigate cannot detect mines, a minesweeper cannot engage in air combat. That is why you will always see us operating with warships such as frigates and corvettes.” He said the new P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft could also play a role in such operations.
Pistorius says no operation will take place without America
Pistorius stressed that such a mission would only be possible with the cooperation of partners, and especially the United States. “They have the best situational awareness in the area,” the defense minister said. On German television in April, the politician from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) said that “The Americans are the ones who – together with the Israelis – are fighting this war, and that is why they are the ones with whom we must work jointly when it comes to addressing its consequences.”
It is unclear to what extent the Strait of Hormuz has been mined. This is when the most important requirement of the German military deployment would be met, namely a permanent end to the Iran war. However, this seems unlikely at the moment as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have once again increased.
This article was originally written in German.